United Way exceeds challenge goal

By DOUG McDONOUGH Herald Editor

Published 10:21 am, Monday, December 16, 2013

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Doug McDonough/Plainview HeraldWith Executive Director Devon Weldon and Public Relations Chair Kevin Carter looking on, United Way President Mike Fox updates the campaign thermometer outside the Industrial Foundation/Chamber of Commerce Building. The drive currently is at 98.37 percent of it $286,000 goal. less

When he heard the final number — $304,594.51, this year’s Plainview Area United Way Campaign Chairman V.O. Ortega let out a loud whoop that could almost be heard from Hereford.

The United Way Executive Board, meeting Monday, learned that this year’s campaign not only met its base goal of $286,000, but exceeded its $300,000 challenge goal.

Ortega was unable to attend Monday afternoon’s meeting because he was in Hereford on business with Atmos Energy.

Since the Plainview Area United Way was reactivated in 1975 after a few years dormancy, the umbrella drive to raise funds for its member agencies has never failed to reach its base goal, and most years exceeded its challenge goal. This year was no difference, despite the added challenge of losing its largest single contributor with the closure earlier this year of the Cargill Meat Solutions plant, and the added pressure on its member agencies due to the resulting loss of more than 2,000 jobs.

“This truly was a community effort this year, and I really appreciate the hard work everyone put in,” Ortega said. “Plainview should really be proud of how it has turned out to support these partner agencies, and I feel it is a great privilege to be a part of this wonderful organization filled with such energetic, caring people.”

He singled out the division chairs, campaign workers, United Way board and new Executive Director Devin Weldon for this year’s success.

“We have a wonderful bunch of division chairs — Rick Garcia, Celeste Jones, Sherrie Wall, Brandon Ahrens, Carmen Ortega and Doris Washington — a quality board and office staff, and Devin Weldon, who has really grown into her job. I can’t say enough about all those people who made this year’s success possible.”

United Way President Mike Fox added, “I was pleasantly surprised that we not only met our goal, but exceeded the challenge goal. But I also knew in the back of my mind that the community would come though. Plainview always seems to rally to the cause, especially this year because the community realizes the value of the United Way.

“The fact is that so many people benefit and are served by our 11 partner agencies. There are few lives in Plainview indeed which are not touched by at least one of the agencies. As a result, the community can relate to each agency and the vital mission they are performing.”

Touching on the difficult year the city has been experiencing, Fox said, “The success of the United Way is really a good thing for Plainview because it’s great to have some really positive news during a tough year. Everyone worked really hard during this year’s campaign, and it has paid off.”

Weldon was introduced as executive director at this fall’s 38th Annual Kickoff Breakfast, taking over for Alice Sawayer,